Abstract/Overview The field cricket, Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is edible and could be used to reduce malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. As the demand for cricket products is increasing, there is a need to find cost-effective ways of rearing this cricket using locally available and affordable sources of food. This study evaluated the feeding preferences of the field cricket S. icipe for 11 species of dayflowers (Commelina spp.; Commelinaceae), using no ...
Abstract The melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is a serious pest of cucurbits, tree fruits and related crops in most continents of the world, including Africa. To manage the pest, most farmers in sub-Saharan Africa rely on synthetic chemicals which have detrimental effects to the environment and the habitat. Excessive use of chemicals may also lead to development of pest resistance and Z. cucurbitae has reportedly shown the most increased resistance to the used insecticides. For...
Abstract Bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major constraining factor in the production of tomatoes in Kenya, leading to an overreliance on synthetic pesticides. As a result, there is increased research on bio-pesticides as safer alternatives. The present study, therefore, characterized and evaluated in 524 European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 10, Issue 2, April-2022 Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom vitro antibacterial activity of es...
Abstract Nutrient enrichment is one of the most serious threats to wetland ecosystems. Information is lacking, particularly concerning the response of wetland plants species in Kenya in regard to nutrient enrichment of wetlands. Understanding the mechanisms and adaptations that allow only certain species to thrive in the potentially stressful wetland environment requires the study of the biology of these plants. This study was carried out to investigate the growth and nutrient uptake among s...
Abstract/Overview Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is a major annual oilseed crop and its economic and nutritive quality makes the crop a beneficial enterprise for rural farmers in Ndhiwa Sub-County. Researchers have recommended adoption of technology and increased contact with extension agents as one way of increasing production but productivity remains low. Crop productivity or yield is a function of environment, plant, management and socio economic factors that interact at optimum levels...
Abstract/Overview Plant composition of urban green spaces is an important component of urban ecosystem as it influences the provision of many environmental and social services that contribute to the quality life. In Nairobi, a few remnants of continuous highland forest exist but they are under increasing pressure from the rapidly changing surrounding landscape. The plant composition is being altered by human encroachment and other related activities. The status of the current plant compos...
Abstract/Overview Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) seeds were scarified with an 18 N H2S04 solution, then primed for one week at 10De in PEG- 6000, NaCl or natural sea water. Germination tests were carried out at 30De, which is normally inhibitory for spinach seed germination. The germination rate of scarified seeds was higher than the untreated ones. Four successive use of the acid solution did not reduce its scarifying potential; the most suitable soaking time depended on seed size. When ...
Abstract/Overview Indigenous vegetables form a key component of farming systems in most communities in Africa including Kenya. Its increased awareness and utilization has been attributed to its reported superior nutritional quality, medicinal value and ecological adaptability to existing weather conditions. Utilization of these vegetables among low, middle and high income earners in Kenya has improved tremendously and this calls for high quality vegetables to maintain confidence. Improved...
Abstract/Overview The wild-type Solanumu villosum is an important leafy vegetable in Kenya, which however is low-yielding mainly due to the early flowering and prolific fruiting. Two new genotypes of S. villosum, T-5 and octoploid with different flowering and fruiting characteristics from the wild-type have been developed. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate leaf yield, plant height and iron content of the genotypes under varying nitrogen levels. The experiments were laid out as ...
Abstract/Overview Tuberose sold on the domestic market fetches very low prices during the low export season. Value addition to the crop would make its production more sustainable. A study was carried out to identify the constituent chemical compounds of tuberose fragrance grown in high altitude regions (Meru, 2068m asl and Tigoni, 1850m asl) and low altitude regions (Sagana, 1214m asl and Juja, 1350m asl) in Kenya. The volatiles were trapped between 5.30pm to 9.00pm from fully-opened inta...
Abstract/Overview Anthocyanins are a group of plant pigments responsible for colors ranging from red to violet and blue. Anthocyanins are pigments that accumulate in the vacuoles of plant epidermal cells. Chroma and hue are dependent on conditions inside and outside the vacuoles. Also conditions within the vacuole that facilitate formation of complexes with several metal ions. The aim of this study was to examine changes in accumulation of anthocyanins and the resultant colour in tuberose...
Abstract/Overview frican nightshades ( Solanum section Solanum ) are an important source of daily nutrients and income for small-scale farmers in sub- Saharan Africa and are a delicacy for urban inhabitants. The section is one of the most ubiquitous, largest and most diverse sp ecies groups of the genus Solanum , with more than 30 reported species. Complete profiling of the species in this section has been hampered by several morphological, cytological and taxonomic complexities. There is...
Abstract/Overview Soil has always been used as nursery and pot substrate in horticultural industry in Kenya, but it has problems related to aeration, drainage, non-uniformity and chemical suitability. Therefore, development of alternative potting substrates with optimal physical characteristics is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate physical suitability of forest soil (FS), compost (C), pine bark (PB), and rice husks (RH) as alternative amendments of potting substrates....
Abstract/Overview Increasingly, food security interventions in developing economies are adapting value chain approaches to facilitate the integration of smallholders into high margin value chains. In Kenya, the resurgence of African Indigenous Vegetables due to their medicinal value and rich micronutrients is a case in point. The vegetables are cultivated by smallholders, and the supply has not matched the demand in the high margin markets among urban consumers. Access to such high margin...
A study was conducted in the north east region of Ghana to ascertain the vegetables produced and marketed by farmers and traders respectively and determine the causes of post-harvest losses among the farmers and traders. Multistage random sampling procedure was used to select respondents and a set of structured questionnaires were administered. The data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. 126 vegetable farmers and 45 vegetable traders were interviewed. The findings sh...